Traditional Management Of Natural Resources By Dai People In Xishuangbanna And Its Change

Traditional ecological knowledge has been paid more and more attention by scientists for its important roles in biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management. Dai people in Xishuangbanna has close relationship with the water of rivers as well as the forests of mountains. They have accumulated abundant traditional ecological knowledge on utilization and management of natural resources in the processes of interaction with this environment.Participatory Rural Appraisal, literature study and voucher specimens collection were applied to study traditional management of natural resources by Dai people in Xishuangbanna and its change. We mainly applied interview to investigate traditional resources management in three typical Dai villages(Mandian, Naban and Man'e). The results are as follows:1.Traditionally, Dai people managed land, forests,water resource and so on effectively through traditional laws, local institutions, customs and beliefs.2.Traditional resources management by Dai people has contributed to the conservation of local environment and biodiversity: Institutions of resources management forced people to utilize resources sustainably and conserve environment. Land resource management maintained higher natural forest coverage. Forests and various animals and plants are conserved because of forest management. Water resouces management can preserve riverheads and clean water quality, and saved water resource during the irrigation. Paddy cultivation is in favor of maintaining fertility of soil, and can conserve biodiversity in the paddy.3.Traditional resources management by Dai people has changed and declined chiefly due to development of market economy and impact of external mainstream culture.